The unique microbiota in breast milk plays an important role for child health. Researchers from Purdue University investigated whether prenatal supplements or diets affected the microbiota in breast milk of 771 mothers who participated in the CHILD Cohort Study. Supplements, not diet patterns, were found to be linked to changes in human milk microbiota composition. The microbial diversity of mothers who received folate or fish oil supplements during pregnancy was lower than that of those who didn’t. Mothers who took vitamin C also had lower diversity than those who didn’t. Researchers believe that additional variables can influence the human milk microbiome.
Rana Chehab will present the research in an online session during NUTRITION 2121 LIVE ONLINE, from noon on Monday, 6/7, through 5:05 p.m. Friday, 10/10. (abstract; presentation details). Image available.
A new insight into the effects of maternal obesity on children
Scientists are still trying to figure out why maternal obesity can have an adverse effect on the health and well-being of their offspring. Pennington Biomedical Research Center examined 22 mothers who were obese and had other risk factors for metabolic disorder, such as high blood sugar and high cholesterol. The additional risk factors were found to cause higher glucose levels in women than in those who did not have them. This was despite similar weight gains and total fat mass gained during pregnancy. The offspring of mothers who had additional risk factors were heavier and had more body fat than those born to mothers without them. These findings suggest that metabolically obese obesity leads to longer exposures to higher glucose levels and triglycerides. This results in an increase in fat mass and weight at birth. These findings identify obese women and others at risk for prenatal intervention.
This research will be presented by Emily W. Flanagan in an online session at NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE, from noon Monday, June 7, through 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 10. (abstract; presentation details).
Pregnancy and epigenetic changes
Although studies have shown that maternal exercise can influence the health and well-being of offspring, it is not clear if the timing of this activity is important. Epigenetic modifications such as methylation can alter gene expression levels without altering the genetic code. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found that pregnancy exercise was associated with methylation of genes possibly related to multiple pathways such as carbohydrate metabolism and cellular function. This study included 296 mothers from the NICHD Fetal Health Studies-Singleton cohort. It found no significant association between methylation and physical activity before pregnancy. The new findings, if replicated could shed light into the mechanisms that underlie changes in maternal physical activity and epigenetic changes.
Sifang Kathy Zhao will present the research in an online session during NUTRITION 2121 LIVE ONLINE, from noon on Monday, 6 June 7, through 5:30 p.m. Friday, 10 June (abstract; presentation details).
What you eat can affect your ability to sleep during pregnancy
It is well-known that eating habits and circadian rhythms have a strong relationship. UCSI University Malaysia’s new research examines how chrononutrition, or sleep quality and melatonin timing during pregnancy is related to this relationship. Our sleep-wake cycle is controlled by the hormone melatonin. The study involved 114 pregnant women. They examined their meal timings, meal frequency, eating windows, breakfast skipping, and night eating habits. The researchers found that women who ate dinner less often or consumed more fat at dinner than they did for breakfast or lunch were more likely have poor sleep quality. Peak melatonin levels were higher when meals were taken closer to bedtime than the normal mid-sleep peak. These findings indicate that poor sleep may be caused by unfavorable chrononutrition characteristics.
Ai Ni Teoh will present the research in an online session during NUTRITION 2020 LIVE ONLINE, from noon Monday, June 7, through 5:30 PM Friday, June 10. (abstract; presentation details). The description includes updated information from the original abstract. Image available.
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NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE will be the American Society for Nutrition’s flagship online meeting. It will take place online from June 7-10, 2021. Register for a free pass and view on-demand sessions. You can also view posters.
Note that abstracts presented at NUTRITION LIVE ONLINE were selected and evaluated by an expert committee, but did not go through the peer-review process necessary for publication in a scientific journal. The findings presented at NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE should not be considered final until a peer-reviewed publication has been made.
About NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE
NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE is a dynamic online event that showcases new research and prompt discussions about food and nutrition. Scientific symposia cover hot topics such as clinical and translational nutrition. Food science and systems, global health and population science, cellular and physiological nutrition, and metabolism. https://meeting.nutrition.org #NutritionLiveOnline
The American Society for Nutrition (ASN).
ASN is the premier professional organization for nutrition researchers and clinicians worldwide. The society was founded in 1928 and brings together top nutrition researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and medical professionals to improve our understanding and application of nutrition. ASN publishes four peer reviewed journals and offers education and professional development opportunities to promote nutrition research, practice, and education. http://www.nutrition.org
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